Q&A
Click on a question below to see its answer. We may add additional questions to this post over time for visibility if we see specific questions being asked frequently.
What do the phases represent?
The goal of the Early Access Forecast is to help communicate in which order various features, classes, and mechanics will be implemented. We expect most items from a phase will be implemented before items from later phases start being made available.
The Forecast is constructed in large part by assessing the order in which members of the team will be working on their tasks. New people joining the team may expedite some work being done, while issues being found in our internal QA may delay some releases.
Consequently, the Forecast shouldn’t be seen as something written in stone. Rather, we’re showing you our plans for the sake of transparency. If changes arise, we’ll continue to act in that spirit by informing you of those changes and explaining why they occur.
What is the Eternity Cache?
This system involves placing equipment and various rare components into special chests. The contents of these chests will be abnormally impacted by the passage of time and may become extraordinarily powerful. It could be easier to place items there than to retrieve them, however - as other denizens of Eterra could be drawn to them in your absence.
You can also read about this on our Items page or our KickStarter page.
What are the Gates of Memorium?
The Gates of Memorium system is the primary means through which you will access the storyline content after having completed it. Inspired by both fond memories of boss runs in Diablo II, and the desire for freedom to explore the game’s content, this system will allow you to journey through your memories to face against past challenges again.
Be careful; no memory is perfect, and enemies you face may be more dangerous than when you previously encountered them. Perhaps some foes are better left forgotten…
You can also read about this on our End-game Systems page or our KickStarter page.
What is the Epoch's Call?
The Epoch’s Call is a directive to locate and eradicate a threat to the world of Eterra. Perhaps a number of Time Rifts have been sighted close to Last Refuge and there is a need to investigate before the Void’s machinations can come to fruition. Or maybe there are reports of another time traveller - one whose allegiance is unknown and must be uncovered.
You can also read about this on our End-game Systems page or our KickStarter page.
What are Time Rifts?
Time Rifts are tearing a portal through the eras of time. You will encounter Time Rifts throughout your travels, and your Epoch will open them to transport your to the same location in a different era. These zones you access through time rifts act as side zones displaced by time rather than location and contain added loot, rewards, and challenges.
How will trading work in Last Epoch?
Trading in Last Epoch will be possible both directly between friends, and by listing items for sale on the Bazaar. Other players will be able to bid on items in the Bazaar, and you will be able to view the status of your current listings anywhere by opening a UI window.
Our Developer Blog from last year is great for getting a high-level view of the Bazaar. Individual details, such as limitations, may change between now and it being implemented.
You can also read our Developer Blog about this.
What is the difference between base classes and mastery classes?
Each base class has three mastery classes.
Both base classes and mastery classes have active skills and passives that no other class has access to. By release each base class will have ten active skills, while each mastery class will have six. Your character will have access to the entirety of its base class and its chosen mastery class, as well as the first half of the remaining mastery classes.
You can also read about this on our Classes page.
What differentiates Legendaries from Uniques?
Unique items are items with predetermined stats. Their role in the game is to have unique item properties which could never exist within the usual affix pool due to balance concerns, to broaden the number of options available to you when you are choosing equipment. It is not our intention for them to be flatly superior to a strong Rare item.
The planned role of Legendary items has changed as we iterate throughout development, and you can expect us to post a Developer Blog about them closer to their implementation.
What are Lost Memories?
Lost Memories will be a key part of our item updates coming later at a later stage of our beta, focused around items used as components for crafting and socketables. We’ll announce more information on the final iteration of this system closer to it being made available.
What are Challenge Modes?
Challenge modes are options available at the time of character creation which alter aspects of the game for that character. For example, Hardcore mode makes deaths permanent.
Additional Questions
How many chapters are currently implemented?
As of Patch 0.7.8, there are eight playable Chapters.
Why was the Rogue class not implemented earlier?
This question was originally asked on Reddit. I posted quite a thorough response to it, explaining our reasoning and what we would like for the initial release of the Rogue.
You can find this answer here.
Will every entry in Phase 4 be included in the beta?
Unfortunately, it’s too early for us to confirm this.
Which phase is the game currently in?
We are currently concentrating on phases 3 & 4.
What is the scope of this forecast?
Our Early Access Forecast was posted on the 30th of July.
We first released builds to the community during Last Epoch’s pre-alpha development in late 2017, the game entered Steam Early Access on the 30th of April 2019, and it is scheduled to release in Q4 2020 with substantial, ongoing post-release development.
The Early Access Forecast focuses on development between the forecast itself being posted, and the game leaving Steam Early Access. The pre-alpha and alpha stages of development, updates to the game after launch, and beta content released between the game entering beta / Steam Early Access and the forecast being posted are all not reflected in the forecast.